Exploring Southwark’s Markets

From tasty food and drink to handmade crafts, you’ll find it all at the markets in Southwark. This vibrant neighbourhood has an eclectic variety of stalls and traders, offering something for everyone. So, whether you’re already living in Southwark or considering moving to the area, you’ll have unique shopping and dining experiences on your doorstep. 

Here are some of the best markets to visit in Southwark:

Borough Market

Borough Market is a foodie paradise. It’s London’s premier destination for sustainably produced, high-quality food and drink, attracting locals and tourists alike. Being such a popular place means it can get busy, especially at the weekend. If you want to visit at a quieter time, weekday mornings, just after the market opens, are your best bet. The market is open six days a week, but some vendors are only present on certain days. So, it's best to check beforehand if there’s a particular stall you want to visit.

The market’s history spans approximately 1000 years, dating back to when Borough High Street was the main thoroughfare connecting South London to the City. It has stood in its current site near London Bridge since 1756, evolving from a wholesale market servicing local businesses to a thriving retail destination focusing on sustainable production and community connection.

Today, the market brings people together through food and drink via its network of over 100 stalls, restaurants and bars, where you can discover speciality ingredients and taste diverse flavours from all over the world. The market has three main areas to explore: Three Crow Square, Green Market and Borough Market Kitchen. From greengrocers selling fruit and vegetables to artisan bakers, cheesemongers and more, you’ll always find something delicious to enjoy at Borough Market.

Maltby Street Market

If you want to spend your Saturday or Sunday tasting delicious dishes, head to Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey. Since its establishment in 2010, Maltby Street Market has become a go-to for street food fusions from start-up vendors and esteemed traders. The market stalls change regularly, so there’s always new menus to sample. 

Popular with locals and visitors, it draws foodies wanting to taste unique flavours in a characterful setting. Tucked down a little flag-lined alley called the Ropewalk (a reference to a nearby ropewalk owned by Robert Rich, an eccentric Bermondsey resident in the 18th century), the stalls are nestled under the Victorian railway arches, making this street food market a picturesque, must-visit destination when it opens each weekend. 

Southbank Centre Food Market

Open seven days a week, the Southbank Centre Food Market offers delicious food and drink in an iconic setting. One of the city's top destinations for arts and culture, the Southbank Centre is surrounded by iconic London landmarks. Its outdoor street food market showcases a wide variety of cuisines, from Asian to Mediterranean and African. When it comes to drinks, you can sip on artisan coffees, seasonal cocktails and craft beers. It’s the perfect place to grab a casual bite to eat while soaking up the creative atmosphere at this renowned riverside location. 

Lower Marsh Market

There’s something for everyone at Lower Marsh Market, from fashion and accessories to home décor and music. And, of course, street food. If you want to taste authentic flavours from around the world – think Cuban, Filipino, Polish and more – you’ll be spoilt for choice at Lower Marsh Market. The market also hosts events, including monthly gardening sessions and ‘Lower Marsh Lates’, where you can enjoy drink offers and live entertainment.

A stone’s throw from Waterloo Station, Lower Marsh Market has been a bustling hub for traders and shoppers since the 1800s. Today, the market is run by the WeAreWaterloo Business Improvement District (BID) in collaboration with Lambeth Council, ensuring a focus on community and sustainability, which is reflected in the market’s policies of compostable packaging, cooking oil recycling and using 100% renewable energy. 

Mercato Metropolitano

Proudly taking the title of London’s First Sustainable Community Market, Mercato Metropolitano is the place to go in Southwark for delicious, authentic food. This undercover outdoor marketplace has over 40 independent traders serving dishes ranging from Sicilian arancini and Vietnamese bao buns to poke bowls and popcorn. And to wash it all down, there's a selection of bars offering craft beers, cocktails, coffees and more. 

The values of community, quality and social responsibility underpin Mercato Metropolitano. Values that are clear to see in this Southwark food market. Located near Elephant and Castle Underground Station, it’s located on a former paper factory site and decorated with recycled materials in a simple layout that encourages people to come together. It’s all about sharing good food, good drinks and good times.

It's open seven days a week from lunchtime until late evening, with weekly live music and DJ performances to keep you entertained into the night. And if you need a morning pick-me-up, there’s a coffee shop open from 7.30 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends.

Discover our Shared Ownership Properties in Southwark

From sustainably grown produce and authentic street food to handcrafted gifts, you’ll find it all at these markets in Southwark. You can explore them at a moment's notice from one of our Southwark Living homes.